San Francisco 49ers

The way Sebastian Janikowski’s Raiders career ended will, eventually, fade into irrelevance, and how long and how well he played will overshadow all. Seabass is the best kicker the Raiders have ever had, and one of the best the NFL has ever seen, and he lasted 18 seasons, and he’s the last first-round pick from the 2000 draft to go.

Assuming he really is done, that is. And that assumes that he’s not up for, say, trying a 76-yard field goal, which he did try 10 years ago. After all, Janikowski will not be defined by how reliable he was from 40 or 45 yards (although he was). It was and always has been about lining him up from 65 and feeling confident and reasonable, and not reckless or insane.

In Pyeongchang, it was five different U.S. skaters attempting to match the Czechs and win the game in the shootout.

The Americans went 0-for-5. And just like that, Team USA was eliminated, having gone 1-1-1 in Group B, then defeating Slovakia 5-1 in the qualifying round before getting humbled by the Czechs in the quarterfinals.

While fans were left lamenting a cruel exit at the hands of the Czech Republic in the Olympic quarterfinals, the U.S. men’s hockey team reflected on an Olympic journey that has been “one of the best moments of our careers.”

The lack of NHL players for the men’s Olympic hockey tournament has generated much ire. But if the NHL is to take part in future Olympics, there’s a substantial change that could make it more palatable to the league — and more fun for fans.

According to Duvernay-Tardif, being a professional athlete, and specifically one enrolled in medical school, gave his stories a different perspective and helped him better relate to the people he interviewed.

“We interviewed [one of] the Korean doctors in charge of safety at the big air site and she barely speaks English, and I tried to tell her that I study at Montreal and the next thing you know [she says] she’s going to a symposium in orthopedic surgery at McGill University and knows a few of the staff that I’ve been working with,” Duvernay-Tardif said.

“And what was supposed to be this four-question interview because of the language barrier became one of our top pieces because she ended up wrapping me up on a stretcher and carrying me into the ambulance with the paramedics. I think it helps, and not only with the athletes, but just in general. I think every athlete is curious about other sports.”

The NHL keeps the pedal on the floor this week for scheduling, with 12 teams offering a four-game schedule and only three squads limited to two games of action.

Tom Brady still faces the possibility a four-game NFL suspension for his alleged role in the scheme, though a federal judge overturned it last summer just days before it was supposed to take effect.

That’s because the NFL, worried about the case’s potentially dramatic impact on Goodell’s disciplinary powers, loaded up on pricey outside legal help and appealed judge Richard Berman’s decision.

That appeal is set to be heard in early March, though Goodell — perhaps chastened by the vicious blowback from the union and the Patriots — said last week that he has not decided if Brady’s suspension will be reinstated if the league’s appeal succeeds.

Cutler is averaging fewer than 200 passing yards and has led Miami to just six points over the past two weeks.

If Cutler continues to struggle against a Titans defense that is coming off yielding 57 points to the Texans last week, Gase could turn to Matt Moore, who’s considered one of the more dependable backups in the league.

When the Chiefs play the 1-8 Giants on Sunday at MetLife Stadium, it’ll be their first game since Nov. 5, and the question they face is this: Are they the team that began the season 5-0 or the one lost three of its past four games?

The Chiefs hold a two-game lead in the AFC West, but visions of capturing home-field advantage throughout the playoffs have taken a hit.

“We’re sitting here at 6-3. We’re in good shape,’’ coach Andy Reid told reporters this week. “We didn’t finish up before the bye very well, but I like this team, and I like their work ethic. I like the way they battled through the first nine games.’’

Calvin Ridley, WR, Alabama. Ozzie Newsome obviously loves to grab Alabama prospects in the draft, and here’s a guy that also fills a major need for the team. Ridley is so much more than his pedestrian college stats suggest, and while teams will give him a pass for his production in that offense, he’ll need to show the ability to bulk up a bit if he wants to jump into the top half of the first round. By placing him here, I think he’ll check that box for teams just fine.

The Chiefs, a perennial playoff team, win despite Smith — not because of him. At some point, the Chiefs might want to go with the quarterback with more upside, because they sure as heck aren’t beating the Patriots with a quarterback like Smith.

Those are just the highlights, of course, and it’s worth noting that Mahomes should’ve been picked off on a couple different occasions. He’s still a rookie and a gunslinger, so he’s going to make mistakes.

But he’s in the perfect situation. His coach, Andy Reid, knows how to run an offense (when clock management isn’t a factor). His team features a top defense. Mahomes could get on the field at some point this season, especially if Smith struggles. Don’t rule it out.

Sports is a common denominator in our world. We all have the responsibility to use this platform to promote understanding, respect and equality.”

“The best of us lend our compassion and determination to the aid of others,” he said. “Every day I see the genuine dedication and hard work of our players. And I support them as they take their courage, character and commitment into our communities to make them better or to call attention to injustice. Having spoken with our players, I can attest to the great respect they have for the national anthem and all it represents. We at the Philadelphia Eagles firmly believe that in this difficult time of division and conflict, it is more important than ever for football to be a great unifier.”

The coaching tenure of Chuck Pagano presumably comes to an end Sunday against the Texans. Pagano never had a chance this season without Andrew Luck or a viable Plan B at QB until the Jacoby Brissett trade was made just before the season. But it’s not always about fairness when the firing-and-hiring season for NFL coaches arrives.

Will Sunday’s matchup against the Redskins at the Meadowlands be Eli Manning’s final game with the Giants? The possibility of that adds considerable intrigue to an otherwise unwatchable game.

There is a fine line to walk when it comes to that style of play. As the Kelly years revealed, it can exhaust your defense — a concern given that the D is currently the Eagles’ biggest strength. But there’s no denying that this Foles-led offense needs a jolt. The Eagles are just 1-of-17 on third down over their past five quarters and have managed 19 points total over that time. Foles is 23-of-49 (47 percent) for 202 yards with a TD and two interceptions since his four-touchdown outing against the New York Giants in Week 15.

Mercilus could not be more grateful.Pass to Monahan.It looked as though a third grade arts class made it.However, he was placed on Injured Reserve after suffering ACL injury a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons on 1.Geoff still has a job.Kramer was selected to the NFL’s 50th-anniversary team at guard.

DeRozan is coming off a franchise-best, 52-point performance Monday when the Raptors knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks in overtime. DeRozan connected on five 3-point field goals as Toronto (25-10) won for the eighth time in its past 10 games. DeRozan also had eight assists and five rebounds as the Raptors followed up a successful December during which they went 11-3.

Toronto will play its next three games on the road and will look to win its third straight game Wednesday against the Bulls, who have lost two straight after dropping a 124-120 overtime decision Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Now, Chicago (13-24) must contend with DeRozan, whose impressive performance against the Bucks included shooting 5 for 9 from 3-point range — territory that many insisted wasn’t part of DeRozan’s offensive arsenal.

The night before his Friday inauguration, Trump mentioned a speech attended by Patriots owner that had called to congratulate him.Listen, you have to earn a roster spot, Ainge said of , via .He’s stated multiple times that no matter where his career takes him, he’ll never forget where he came from.I thought it was really good.I guess that I took that to mean that it’s more about repeating his mechanics on every pitch.The Chiefs won the game 66.

I actually did pretty good at it and was a punt returner last year college, I’ve always wanted the opportunity to do it here.The fact that Estrada has been dealing with back problems is nothing new, but the club previously referred to the injury as soreness and tightness.The Raiders got off to a good start with looking very sharp with 23 of 33 for 353 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw interception as the Falcons completed the comeback drive to win 23.Scout ranks UW’s class 23rd nationally.Cabrera immediately perked up the on-deck circle realizing he’d have a to put his team ahead.Embroidery is the handicraft method used for decorating fabrics with a needle and a thread.

He’s now the fifth-winningest coach in NBA history, though there are some things Gregg Popovich still doesn’t know.

He was just as fooled initially as the referees, not realizing the ball had gone in the basket. It was the most bizarre bucket of San Antonio’s 100-91 victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.

At some point after Schmidt left, the university moved home plate further back.Besides his father, he was preceded death by his infant sister, Helen Crabbe.Tye had another nice catch late the game, powering over a defender on the outside.That’s our responsibility to do.

I think I’m going to fire back, he said.How they handle training camp these days slows the progress and development of players, Ogden said.Wainwright’s versatile could help him be that because there are a number of spots on a roster for a pitcher.It’s going to be a playoffs just getting into the playoffs, and we know that.The 6-foot-5-pound forward was the 50th overall selection by the Minnesota US Beats Latvia to Open World JuniorsValley NewsIIHF U20 World Championship: USA vs.He has batted .319 with a .355 on-base percentage, .518 slugging percentage, .873 OPS, 16 doubles, five triples, four homers and 31 RBIs 48 .Doctors you know.He’s played first base and right field.Investments.

“We were up seven, and by time we came out, we were down three,” said Williams, a 13-year veteran. “I just think we had a lack of focus, we wasn’t playing hard. … We feel strongly about our second group. We’re a confident group of guys. I just felt kind of crazy that we were the group that dropped the lead.”

Hornets assistant Stephen Silas, filling in for head coach Steve Clifford, said his team had no answer for Williams, who shot 12-of-21 from the field, including 6-of-9 from 3, and 10-of-11 from the free throw line to go along with eight assists and only one turnover.

“Obviously Williams got going, and whenever they needed a big basket he provided it,” Silas said. “We changed our coverage, we started blitzing him, but then he was getting to the free throw line. But sometimes it’s a game of making some shots, and we didn’t shoot the ball well tonight.”

“He started hitting 3s early, so you start getting up on his screen and he starts driving to the rim,” backup Hornets power forward Frank Kaminsky said. “Then he’s getting fouled. He was just a nightmare tonight.”

This upcoming January, they will be looking for his replacement after firing him before the end of his second season.

New York decided to relieve McAdoo of his duties on Dec. 4 so team officials could get a jump start on their search for a new head coach. Beyond free-falling from 11-5 to 2-10 from one year to the next, McAdoo’s fate was sealed by the inexplicable benching of starting QB Eli Manning.

Atlanta, with no chance to play a home playoff game this time, begins with a tough test in the wild-card round, traveling cross-country to Los Angeles to take on the Rams (Saturday, 8:15 p.m ET, NBC). But from the Falcons at 10-6 to the Eagles and Vikings at 13-3, little separates the six teams in the strong NFC playoff field.

Looking at the Falcons’ profile as a No. 6 seed with long, 12-1 odds (per Bovada) to win the conference again, there a lot of things to like.

Last season, the Falcons were No. 28 against the pass. This season they shot up to No. 12, only behind the Vikings among NFC playoff teams.

With those numbers, the Falcons improved from No. 25 to No. 9 in total defense (yards allowed). They also were No. 27 in scoring defense (25.4 points allowed per game) in 2016 before moving up to No. 8 (19.7 points allowed per game) in ’17. Those marks have them rivaling the Eagles and Vikings, too.

Young players such as middle linebacker Deion Jones and safety Keanu Neal have risen up as playmakers. Adrian Clayborn and Takk McKinley have boosted the situational edge pass rush. And unlike in last year’s playoffs, the Falcons also have top cornerback Desmond Trufant.

Actress Parsons is 89.Loui Eriksson, despite his age, should be a valuable player for the Bruins’ over the course of his new contract, should he and the club find common-ground prior to July 1, it just won’t be the same as Lucic.When I threw it, I said, ‘uh, oh,’ but it came back.With this strategy, they slowly remove base chems and then make the three gold chem thing a thing, giving us reasons to buy packs the entire year.Can knock defenders off the ball as a run-blocker.Â However, they have serious concerns that Massie: Chances are that Massie benefit from NFL coaches and develop into a top flight starting RT the league.Trading is a good strategy for the Suns as he is already his final year a 3-year deal which he signed last 2014.

Cam inspired by OutKast: Never one to go the conservative route when it comes to fashion, Cam Newton showed up at the press conference after the Panthers’ win over the Vikings in a fez, or a “brimless hat,” as he dubbed it. Cam said he had been inspired by seeing OutKast member Andre 3000 wearing one in GQ, so maybe a postgame meeting with the ATLien could be arranged.

Eli apologizes to Giants fans: Eli Manning’s return to the starting lineup was arguably something of an apology for his being benched for Geno Smith. On Sunday, though, it was Manning offering the apology after the Giants were torched at home, 30-10, by the Cowboys. “I thought we had a good crowd today and I appreciate all the support these past weeks and sorry we couldn’t get them a better game,” Manning said. It’s been a sorry season for Big Blue, one that thankfully has only three games remaining.

The Dallas offense had struggled mightily without suspended running back Ezekiel Elliott, failing to score at least 10 points in three straight games for the first time in franchise history. They got off to a slow start on Thursday with a trio of three-and-outs to start.

But once Dak Prescott used his legs to pick up a first down late in the first quarter, the Cowboys offense ignited. Prescott only threw for 102 yards, but tossed a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another 28 yards.

“I just trusted myself and trusted in my teammates,” Prescott told NBC Sports. “We played like a team that was hungry and needed this win.”

The Titans aren’t going to overlook this opponent; not after the second-half beatdown in Pittsburgh and after four Marcus Mariota interceptions. They need this win to keep the Jaguars from pulling away further in the AFC South. The Colts couldn’t hold a 10-point second-half lead against the Titans last month in Nashville. But they are coming off a bye and a respectable showing against the same Steelers that buried the Titans four days later.

Seth Walder, sports analytics writer: Minnesota Vikings. The Saints would become the new best team in the NFC, but they aren’t the favorite to reach the Super Bowl. That would be the Vikings, out of circumstance.

That should wake up the Cowboys’ pass rush to dominate a second matchup with their archrivals. The Cowboys will go back to being run-heavy with Dak Prescott, former Redskin Alfred Morris and Rod Smith to control the clock, take pressure off Prescott and lessen the exposure of the pass defense against Kirk Cousins. It won’t be pretty, but the Cowboys will take this game to separate as the better desperate playoff hopeful.

Additionally, James’ rate of 2-point jumpers from beyond 16 feet is his second-lowest ever. So Second Spectrum’s analysis shows that the quantified shot quality (qSQ) of James’ shots — the effective field-goal percentage (eFG) an average player would be expected to make based on the location of the shot and nearby defenders — is the highest in the five years they’ve tracked this metric.

At summer league, Tatum dazzled with his Paul Pierce-like midrange game, but Stevens emphasized in the aftermath the benefit of the 3-point shot.

“I think one of our challenges this summer was everybody wanted to talk about the midrange plays he made in summer league. So it was one of those things where if I was involved in a film session at all this summer, it was about what a good shot looks like when you get to the NBA,” Stevens said. “And so we tried to have those very specific film sessions but, still, you can’t predict a guy is gonna become that proficient.

In an effort to continue to make the game safer for NFL players, the league may implement a targeting rule similar to the one used in college football.

Smith-Schuster received a one-game suspension, but under the college rule, he could have been ejected from the game if it was determined he targeted Burfict after video review.

While adjusting the targeting rule is something the league is considering, Vincent said the NFL wants to use caution when ejecting players.

“We want the game to be played on the field. We don’t want to be in the business of ejecting players,” Vincent said. “The philosophy is if it gets out of their control, we do ask the referees to maintain control of the game. … But we really emphasize — let the players play.”

The Giants coach isn’t worried about the reaction of fans for the next home game despite the team’s 24-17 loss to the Raiders on Sunday as Geno Smith started at quarterback over veteran Eli Manning.

“No, I am not concerned,” Ben McAdoo said, via the New York Post. “Listen, I understand where the fans are coming from. If I was on the outside looking in, I’d feel the same way they feel. You know Eli and I have a tremendous relationship. I think the world of him and it was hard for me emotionally. The beginning of the week, once you make a decision, you have to stick with it and I appreciate the way Eli handled things this week.”

It’s fair to say that McAdoo may not have to worry about the pending reaction because he might be fired before the team’s next game. Reports began to swirl on Sunday that he could be sacked as early as Monday depending on the team’s Week 13 performance. With McAdoo’s job on the line, Smith went 21 of 34 for 212 yards and a touchdown but turned the ball over twice on fumbles.

Despite being on borrowed time, McAdoo said he’ll continue to lead the Giants as long as they let him.

New England jumped out to an 18-point halftime lead and never looked back as it cruised to a 41-16 win in Denver. The Patriots tallied 396 yards of total offense and punted just once. New England excelled in the other areas of special teams, returning a kickoff for a touchdown and blocking a Denver punt.

Touchdown, Falcons. Russell Wilson drops back to pass and escapes the collapsing pocket but fumbles the football after being hit. Takkarist McKinley recovers and runs it in for a 10-yard touchdown return as Atlanta’s lead grows to 21-7. Wilson already has two turnovers.

Atlanta picks up one first down but its drive stalls when Justin Hardy fails to secure a pass from Ryan on third down and the Falcons punt for the first time.

Touchdown, Seahawks. Seattle’s drive is extended when Atlanta cornerback C.J. Goodwin is called for tripping on third down. Two plays later, Russell Wilson connects with Jimmy Graham for a 4-yard score. Seattle now trails 14-7.

Three players the Braves signed for $300,000 bonuses were set free because the Braves gave additional money to their agents by signing others to deals with what MLB called “inflated” bonuses: Venezuelan outfielder Antonio Sucre, Dominican outfielder Brandol Mezquita and Dominican shortstop Angel Rojas.

Allen Lazard, WR, Iowa State — Lazard did his part to keep the Cyclones in it against Oklahoma State. The 6-5, 222-pound senior caught nine passes for 126 yards and two scores in the 49-42 loss. It was the third 100-yard game of the season for Lazard.